Colonels open Little League Championships with loss to Lethbridge

Dylin White of the Glace Bay McDonald’s Colonels puts the ball in play during Canadian Little League Championship action against the Lethbridge Southwest All Stars at Lovell McDonnell Field in Medicine Hat, Alta., Friday. Lethbridge won, 7-1.

SYDNEY, N.S. — The Glace Bay McDonald’s Colonels opened the Canadian Little League Championship with a 7-1 loss to the Lethbridge Southwest All Stars in Medicine Hat, Alta., Friday.

The game was tied 1-1 in the fourth inning before Lyle Steadman gave the All Stars a 3-1 lead with a two-run home run. The Alberta squad would add four more runs on pace to the win.

“It was a tight game halfway through, our guys were a little bit nervous, but it was their first game playing on a national stage,” said Glace Bay coach Henry Boutilier.

Glace Bay starter Dawson Byrne took the loss, striking out two hitters over three innings and allowing four hits.

Brady Doucette and Hudson Clarke also shared time on the mound for the Colonels.

Bradyen MacDonald went two-for-three at the plate with two singles, while Byrne and Wyatt Wells each had singles for Glace Bay.

David Stewart went two-for-two with a home run for Lethbridge.

Boutilier was impressed with the play of second baseman Garrett MacIntosh in Friday’s game.

“He made five or six really good plays — he’s an 11-year-old,” said Boutilier.

The Colonels will continue the tournament round robin today at 2 p.m. Atlantic time against the White Rock All Stars of British Columbia.

Boutilier said the British Columbia club has been one of the top teams in the country for a number of years.

“B.C. is a tough team,” he said. “We have four 11-year-olds and two 10-year-olds, so it’s a good preparation for next year, but it makes it tough this year when half your team is not 12-year-olds and the majority of teams here are 12-year-olds.”

The Sydney Sooners were also in action on Friday against the NDG Lynx of Quebec at the Canadian Junior Little League Championships in Lethbridge, Alta. The score was not available at press time.

Sydney will return to action today at 10 p.m. Atlantic time against the host Lethbridge Jr. Bulls at Spitz Stadium.

*Semifinals will take place on Friday at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Championship game will take place on Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. All game times Atlantic time. All games to be played at Lovell McDonnell Field, Medicine Hat, Alta.